AOA Conference Sparks Debate in the Aviation Industry

AOA Conference Sparks Debate in the Aviation Industry

LONDON, October 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



ATTENTION: TRANSPORT EDITORS, TRANSPORT WEBSITES, TRANSPORT BLOGGERS



The UK aviation sector is in a better position than it was three years ago, when the
Government came into power. Despite the challenges ahead, senior aviation players are more
optimistic about the future, following the Government's Aviation Policy Framework
published in March, and the setting up and progression of the Airports Commission. This
was the overwhelming verdict of speakers and delegates who attended the Airport Operators
Association (AOA) Annual Conference, which concluded today, in London.



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Aviation News from ITN Productions provides specialist debate and insight into the
aviation sector. New programming is now available to view at
http://transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/All and, subject to approval, the video is
available for you to use to enhance and compliment your own aviation content.



Available content:



Sir Howard Davies - "Am I wasting my time?"



Sir Howard Davies voices his concerns that if the Government doesn't follow his
findings he'll feel the Davies Commission would have been completed in vain. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20870/sir-howard-davies-voices-his-concerns-about-the-government-following-his-findings ]



Exclusive interview: Aviation Minister: In his first ministerial interview, Robert
Goodwill MP speaks to AOA TV about how he sees the industry and the challenges ahead.
Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20866/in-his-first-ministerial-interview--robert-goodwill-speaks-to-aoa-tv-about-how-he-sees-the-industry ]



Airport Operators CEO: Darren Caplan spoke to AOA TV about the way forward for
airports in light of the Governments Aviation Policy Framework. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20861/aoa-ceo-darren-caplan-on-the-way-forward-for-airports-in-light-of-the-aviation-policy-framework ]



Expanding Ryanair: in his speech to the AOA conference, CEO of Ryan Air Michael
O'Leary speaks about plans to expand into the long haul market. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20873/ryanair-chief--michael-oleary-looks-to-expand-into-long-haul-market ]



Aviation Challenges: Speaking to AOA News about the challenges facing the industry,
Michael O'Leary says taxes are too high and stronger cooperation between airlines and
airports should be encouraged. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20872/ryanair-chief-michael-oleary-says-airlines-and-airports-should-cooperate--taxes-are-too-high ]



Transport Secretary: Patrick McLaughlin told ITN's Aviation News that the government
is doing everything it can to support the aviation sector which will play a key part in
rebuilding the UK economy - whether through investment in infrastructure, creating new
jobs or as a catalyst for inward investment into UK Plc. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/All/406/transport-secretary-patrick-mcloughlin-insists-the-government-is-doing-all-it-can-to-support-sector ]



Political Action? Nigel Milton from Heathrow Airport questions whether the politicians
will implement the findings from the government-backed airports commission. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20864/will-the-politicians-implement-the-findings-from-the-government-backed-airports-commission- ]



Connectivity: Paul Kehoe from Birmingham Airport explains how keeping the country
connected is the key to staying competitive in the international aviation market. Click to
view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20865/keeping-the-country-connected-is-key-to-staying-competitive-in-the-international-aviation-market ]



Risking the future?: Smaller airports losing passengers will lead to closure implies
venture capitalist Jon Moulton. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20871/smaller-airports-losing-passengers-will-lead-to-closure-implies-venture-capitalist-jon-moulton ]



Newcastle leading the way: Effective planning and working with the region helps
increase the economic benefits says Graeme Mason, of Newcastle Airport. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20863/effective-planning-and-working-with-the-region-helps-increase-the-economic-benefits-says-graeme-mason ]



Scrap the Tax: According to Robert Sinclair of Bristol Airport, Air Passenger Duty
should be 'scrapped' in the UK to keep airlines flying through the airports. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20867/apd-should-be-scrapped-in-the-uk-to-keep-airlines-flying-through-the-airports ]



Environmentally Friendly Flying: Sustainability expert Andy Jefferson explains how
technology is revolutionising the way airplanes can operate with less impact on the
environment. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20869/technology-is-revolutionising-the-way-airplanes-can-operate-sustainably-explains-andy-jefferson ]



Innovating for the Future: Being innovative is key for airports to attract passengers
and stay competitive, according to Gordon Dewar, CEO of Edinburgh Airport. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20862/being-innovative-is-key-for-airports-to-attract-passengers-and-stay-competitive ]



Sparking Growth: Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports, with multiple
terminals, employing over 75 thousand people and with around 70 million travelling through
every year. And its influence has spreads beyond the perimeter fencing, with local
economies feeling the benefit of its growth. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20832/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-busiest-hub-in-the-uk---heathrow-airport ]



Behind the Scenes: ARINC is one firm that claims to be at its best when unnoticed. The
company provides special technologies to all airports, big or small, to ensure they can
cope with ever increasing passenger numbers in a smooth and effective way. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20827/technology-evolutions-leading-to-paperless-travel-for-passengers-thanks-to-arinc- ]



Adapting to Change: Airports have to constantly adapt to a changing economic,
political and regulatory landscape and so do their partners. MITIE look beyond their role
as a facilities manager to support airports across the UK in enhancing the passenger
experience, going beyond the convention of typical airport practice. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20839/facilities-management-giant-mitie-ensure-birmingham-airport-operates-with-ease ]



Passenger Experience: UK airports are dealing with increasing numbers of flights and
passengers - and they are also dealing with pressure on budgets as well. So any service
provider who's going to drive efficiencies and provide innovative solutions is a welcome
partner. That's how Babcock position themselves - not only a baggage handler but a company
prepared to work with airports to ensure high quality passenger experiences at lower
operating costs. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20829/a-one-stop-shop-for-the-aviation-industry---showcasing-babcocks-all-round-airport-services ]



Capacity Challenge: The Airports Commission will publish its interim report by the end
of 2013 and its final report by summer 2015. AoA Chief Executive Darren Caplan spoke to
Aviation News about the challenges facing the industry over the coming years. Click to
view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20861/aoa-ceo-darren-caplan-on-the-way-forward-for-airports-in-light-of-the-aviation-policy-framework ]



Vital Link: Point to point airports around the UK are vital to the communities which
they serve; stimulating local businesses and trade while providing a vital link to the
rest of the UK - and the world. We report on how Bristol Airport is leading the way Click
to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20830/bristol-airport----gateway-to-the-west----supports-the-local-economy-and-promotes-growth ]



Aircraft Safety: Of all the critical safety issues surrounding air travel, none can be
more critical than the safety of the aircraft itself. Standards have to be incredibly high
and the people carrying out the inspections need to be trained to the highest possible
standard. Cobham Aviation Services is the world's biggest flight inspection provider.
Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20831/cobham-aviation-services-top-priority-is-to-keep-the-airfield-safe ]



Rain or Snow: Airports realise they must increase their resilience to major weather
events and the unwanted press attention that comes with cancelled flights. That is where
Aebi Schmidt comes in. They provide state-of-the-art maintenance vehicles tailored to the
needs of each airport they serve, so that come rain or snow, they are ready for whatever
nature throws at them. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20826/bad-weather-does-not-affect-take-off-at-manchester-or-heathrow-thanks-to-aebi-schmidt ]



Passenger Communication: There's an ever increasing number of ways to book air travel,
but there are few providers who think about the needs of the airports as well as the
passengers. Airport Direct Travel not only provides booking services for passengers - but
its sytem also allows airports to communicate with each passenger from the moment they
enter the terminal. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20823/revolutionary-software-to-engage-passengers-from-booking-through-to-take-off-launched-by-adt ]



Runway Safety: Out on the runway, nothing is more important than safety, with airport
operators needing the peace of mind that the apron is going to be up to the job. Lafarge
Tarmac is giving that peace of mind to airports across the country. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20833/with-only-a-four-hour-window--lafarge-tarmac-show-how-to-ensure-the-runway-is-ready-for-action ]



Sustainable Lighting: Runway lighting is essential for the operation of every airport
and every flight - but reducing the amount of energy used in aviation is vital for
sustainability. There's one company that's leading the way in its own research and
development. ATG Airports is about to launch IRIS - low profile runway lights. They use
LEDs to reduce energy - but they also sit much lower on the runway surface, so they are
less likely to be damaged. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20828/new-runway-lights-designed-by-atg-airports-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-at-airports ]



Managing Infrastructure: For every airport, managing airspace infrastructure is a key,
though often invisible, factor in ensuring safe yet efficient operations. World-class air
traffic control provider NATS are experts at managing even the most congested airspace.
Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20841/nats--keeping-the-airspace-safe-whilst-running-at-maximum-efficiency ]



New Breed of Lounges: Airport lounges are usually the preserve of business class
travellers, but now Servisair is seeking to bring a little slice of luxury to the mass
market with its aptly named Aspire chain. These cutting-edge oases of relaxation offer
such value for money that they are even being advertised in their own right, as an extra
attraction to encourage more passengers to travel through a given airport. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20840/airports-now-offering-first-class-airport-lounges-to-all-passengers--with-servisair ]



Environmental Protection: Balancing commercial goals with protecting the environment
isn't always easy for Airport Operators. But RPS Group, currently overseeing the Channel
Islands' biggest civil reconstruction project in modern times. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20834/behind-the-scenes-of-guernsey-airports--85-million-development-project-with-rps-group ]



Pre-flight Experience: Passengers now expect a full range of services from the moment
they arrive at an airport to ensure that it's less of a journey, and more of an
experience. SSP partner with some of the world's biggest brands to provide the customer
with the best possible experience before they fly. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20835/variety-and-high-quality-food-in-airports-is-expected-by-passengers---ssp-is-setting-the-bar ]



Baggage Handling: Airports are facing increasing demands to handle more passengers --
and therefore more luggage. So it's important the technology and infrastructure is capable
of handling demand. This report on Vanderlande's baggage handling. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20837/behind-the-scenes-of-heathrows-baggage-handling-operations-with-vanderlande- ]



The Core of Redevelopment: The redevelopment of Heathrow Terminal 2 is one of the most
significant airport projects taking place in the UK. The amount of planning and
consultancy required to deliver such an overhaul is vast. At the core of this
transformation is URS - the biggest global player in 'airport planning services.' Click to
view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20836/terminal-2-redevelopment---urs-the-company-behind-the-strategy--design-and-management ]



Well Grounded Operations: With a whole host of different specialist contractors,
airports are complex places to operate. One organisation specialises in handling a variety
of services effectively and efficiently. Worldwide Flight Services currently runs ground
operations for some of the biggest airports in the world. Not only do they provide breadth
of services - they are expert in them all too. Click to view
[http://www.transportnews.itn.co.uk/Aviation/20838/wfs-explains-how-to--keep-airports-running-smoothly-in-front-and-behind-the-scenes- ]



For embed codes for Aviation News by ITN Productions, or for embed codes for
individual videos to enhance and drive debate in your websites, please contact: Derek
Dyson, Executive Producer, ITN Productions: Derek.Dyson@itn.co.uk



About ITN Productions: ITN Productions is ITN's central production hub, producing
content for broadcasters, global online platforms and high quality corporate news
programming



About The Airport Operators Association: The AOA is the trade association that
represents UK airports. Its mission is to see UK airports grow sustainably. It represents
the views of UK airports to Government, Parliament and Regulators to secure policy
outcomes that help deliver our mission. The AOA represents some 50+ UK airports and
general aviation airfields in the UK. For more information, please visit
http://www.aoa.org.uk.



Contact: T +44-207-430-4436






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